Wednesday, December 30, 2015

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From: http://www.ajc.com/Decatur’s new Waffle House, on North McDonough Street just south of the historic courthouse and beneath Eddie’s Attic, will open 7 a.m. Jan. 6. The 4,600 square-foot restaurant is located in an early 20th-century building originally home to Belk’s Department Store.

Though apparently forgotten, even by many longtime city staffers and residents, this isn’t the first Decatur Waffle House. The company’s fifth store opened in 1961 at 612 Church Street, about where a McDonald’s sign stands today (the current Las Brasas restaurant is 614 Church Street).

That original Decatur store didn’t feature the company’s distinctive architecture and exterior colors—perhaps one reason so few remember it—and closed in 1983 according to company spokes person Kelly Thrasher-Bruner.

Some veteran residents confuse Waffle House with a Toddle House that was opened by Joe Rogers Sr. in 1953 in what is today the Pinewood restaurant downtown. It wouldn’t be until Labor Day, 1955 that Rogers and Tom Forkner opened the first Waffle House in Avondale Estates.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Comet Pub and Lanes in the recently reinvigorated Suburban Plaza.

From: http://3ten.org/lifestyle/2015/12/24/a-new-spin-on-the-local-bowling-alley/
Twenty years ago, Ethan Wurtzel and his family opened Twain’s, a restaurant poolhall combination that has become a Decatur favorite. Now, they’re branching out and starting a new project: Comet Pub and Lanes in the recently reinvigorated Suburban Plaza. General manager, Ben Horgan, found a pair of size 15 bowling shoes and the original drink board that hung over the alley while cleaning up the now defunct Suburban Lanes.
Wurtzel was familiar with running a poolhall, his father owned one in Philadelphia during Wurtzel’s childhood.
When he came to Atlanta to found his own business. Wurtzel wanted to create a poolhall just as his father had, with some added conveniences.
He, his sister Thalia and his brother Uri partnered together to create Twain’s. They envisioned a poolhall with a bar and restaurant so that families could have fun while enjoying food and drink, something their father’s barebones pool establishment lacked.
When Wurtzel first arrived, Decatur didn’t have many entertainment options besides eating at the restaurants scattered around the square.
In the ‘90s, Decatur didn’t have its current award-winning restaurants and nightlife activities.more
photo credit: http://djreko.deviantart.com/art/Bowling-Pins-182826728

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

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Home movies of my American Flyer train set.
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Waiting on the train on Christmas Eve at The Lionel City Station.
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Waiting in front of The Ives Station for a Taxi Cab.
Based on The Decatur Theatre located in Decatur GA in the 1950's

Monday, December 21, 2015

Alliance hosts free MLK Day events

The Alliance Theatre will host a variety of free activities for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Celebrate MLK Day with the young artists of the Alliance Theatre’s Palefsky Collision Project as they explore the issues and ideas that challenge their generation to change the world. Members of the 2015 Palefsky Collision Project, Troubling Our House: In Search of the Beautiful Stranger, have come back together to create a special performance for MLK Day. Inspired by the themes found in the classic play Inherit the Wind as well as current civil rights issues in our country, these young artists collaborated with playwright Pearl Cleage and director Patrick McColery to re-imagine their original script through the lens of Dr. King’s message of hope and peace amid civil unrest. This original work will energize and inspire audiences with a message of hope, peace and the power of community. Join us for a unique Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration you will never forget!
Alliance Theatre Palefsky Collision Project Public PerformancesWHEN & WHERE: Sunday, January 17 at 2:30 p.m. - Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center as part of the Woodruff Family Fun Day Monday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. – A special performance at the National Center for Civil & Human Rights Monday, January 18 at 2:30 p.m. – Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center
RSVP for free tickets: http://www.alliancetheatre.org/content/current-project
NOTE: Performances at the Woodruff Arts Center are free but require an RSVP. NCCHR performance requires admission to the museum.

Additional Events on MLK Day, 2016 – January 18, 2016
ArtsVibe Teen MLK Day Poetry Slam
Theme: Social Change
Location: Rich Auditorium, 1st Floor of the Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Time: 3:30pm – 6pm
Free and open to anyone who wants to participate or attend.
Info will be available at www.artsvibe.com
ArtsVibe Teen Voices for Social Justice Exhibit
A photography and works on paper exhibition surrounding themes on social justice and civil & human rights.
Location: 1280 Gallery, 1st Floor of the Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Exhibit open: January 8 – February 5
Submissions and information at: www.artsvibe.com/teen-voices-for-social-justice-exhibition/
We hope you can share this event with your audience. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Kathleen Covington
Manager of Communications

10 acres of old Ford dealership on Scott Blvd to be used for Fuqua Development

From ajc http://www.ajc.com
Fuqua Development’s mixed-use project at North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard is adding a third phase to be built on about 10 acres of the long-abandoned Ford dealership off Scott Boulevard.

The plan is still conceptual, but attorney Dennis Webb, who represents Fuqua, will file a land-use plan on Jan. 7, with a community meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at the North Decatur United Methodist Church, 1523 Church St., Decatur.

The development site, part of which was formerly occupied by Scott Boulevard Baptist Church, is outside Decatur limits, but earlier this year was on the city’s annexation plan before getting removed by legislators in the general assembly’s final days.more
photo credit: google maps

Friday, December 18, 2015

From: http://atlanta.eater.com
The Decatur space that currently houses Twisted Soul Kitchen + Bar claims another victim. The restaurant will close on December 30 and look for a new home in 2016. The location previously was home to the since-shuttered Mar and Mar Bar.

Chef and owner Deborah VanTrece was unable to agree on a new lease with the building's landlord, according to an announcement from Twisted Soul. VanTrece and her team are looking to open elsewhere in Decatur, but will consider the rest of the Atlanta area, as well. In the meantime, the chef will continue to offer catering, work with charitable causes, and appear at food-focused events around the city.

"We have an amazing group of supporters and regulars at Twisted Soul and love the city of Decatur," VanTrece said in a prepared statement. "Changing locations is a good way for us to take a step back, evaluate things and improve on the next version of Twisted Soul. We plan to continue building the relationships that have made our year here feel so rewarding, and to grow in every way so that we can nourish our customers and the community."

Before opening Twisted Soul last December, VanTrece was chef and owner at Edible Art in East Atlanta more than a decade ago. She closed that restaurant in 2002.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Press & Grind is on track to open December 28th.

Signage at the property indicates that
"Press & Grind" is the name of the new concept from Stacy Eames of The Highland Bakery.
Press & Grind has been in the works for over a year and replaces the former Aurora Coffee near the intersection of North Highland Avenue and Virginia Avenue in Virginia Highland. According to an employee at The Highland Bakery on Highland Avenue, Press & Grind is on track to open December 28th.more

The
Decatur Bulldog Boosters would like to let the Decatur dog-loving and
running communities know of the 11th Annual Decatur Bulldog Boosters 5K
"Run with the Dogs" on Saturday, January 9 at 9:00 a.m. This
run/walk event will begin and end in front of Decatur High School and
traverse a scenic, if challenging, course. The event will again feature a
single 5K race where runners and dog-owners can run with (or without)
their dogs.
T-shirts, awards, and treats will be available to participants as well
as a sporty "race"-kerchief for canine companions. All proceeds go to
funding the uniforms, equipment, and awards for our student-athletes at
the middle and high schools. So come on out and run off a few of those
Holiday calories with Decatur and its Dogs!

This
will be the first race of the New Year in the City of Decatur's 2016
Grand Slam Fitness Challenge and will serve as the award ceremony for
those dedicated Team Decatur individuals who completed the Grand Slam
last year!

Monday, December 14, 2015

Breakfast with Santa Tickets

100 Breakfast with Santa Tickets Left

Breakfast with Santa is this Saturday, Dec. 19, 8-10 a.m at the Decatur Courtyard Marriott Hotel.There are 100 tickets left and they usually sell out, so make sure to get yours today. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and includes a delicious breakfast buffet, a picture with Santa, and other fun holiday activities. Purchase your tickets online here.

Varsity Jr. Parcel Becoming "Lindbergh Self Storage"

Construction to begin soon at site of former Varsity Jr.

More than five years since its closure, and over a year since I first reported its fate, the former Varsity Jr. will in fact become a new self storage facility. While rumors of the deal falling apart had spread over the past few months, I confirmed there are active permits for the construction of the self storage facility.

The new facility, to be known as "Lindbergh Self Storage," will cost $3.5 million to construct, according to building permits filed this week with the City of Atlanta. The nearly 100,000 square foot facility will reportedly have 750 climate-controlled storage units. The four story building, which sits on roughly 1.4 acres, will reportedly be completed in about eight months according to someone with knowledge of the construction timeline.

Less than a half mile from the new storage facility, Extra Space Storage already operates in a converted Service Merchandise store and parking lot.

Additionally, there is also another storage facility, Public Storage, located about a mile away, near the intersection of LaVista and Briarcliff Roads.

What are your thoughts on this new development? Are you in favor of this redevelopment? What else would you like to see happen in the area?

Friday, December 11, 2015

Christmas Concert, "The Carols of Christmas," a concert of Traditional & Modern Carols

Sunday

Dec 13, 2015
– 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

From: http://events.accessatlanta.com
Start your Holiday Season with a unique concert of Traditional and Modern Carols. Following the concert, join us for a reception honoring the life and directorship of Mary Anne Sharp, our Director Emeritus,who just retired after 57 years as our Director.
For additioal questions, contact Carl Seale at 678-488-7717
Decatur Civic Chorus: For over 68 years, the Decatur Civic Chorus has performed pop, classic, and patriotic music to appeal to all ages. Having toured throughout the U.S. and around the world, the chorus offers a very warm and mellow sound not found often in Choral Groups.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

From: http://www.11alive.com
ATLANTA -- It's not time for that last round just yet. Months after Smith's Olde Bar was told to vacate the building they've occupied since 1993, a deal is in the works.

Jo Ann Chitty, Senior VP of Selig Enterprises, confirmed the company purchased the brick building at the corner of Monroe and Piedmont for $3 million. Chitty said they're working closely with bar owner Dan Nolan to keep Smith's at its current location. She called it an "Atlanta institution", and wants to keep the bar in its current spot.

She said details about the deal should be released early next week. The company plans to do restoration to the rest of the complex. The renovates spaces will be leased to other tenants.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

This is an incredible opportunity to jump onboard on a train leaving the station to endless growth opportunities.

Well established and Famous Brand that could very easily be duplicated and franchised for national, regional and local growth.

Concept is fun and easy to run with low food and staffing cost.

Celebrity Owner and reality TV Star who has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Discovery Network is moving onto another project but will stay on during transition period with extensive training. Owner will stay on in a consulting arrangement if needed by new owner for menu development and or to be spokesperson.

This casual full service casual restaurant and bar in 2014 did $1,500,000 with owners pulling out almost $100,000 with zero effort after paying full staff and all expenses. 2015 Gross Sales are $90,000 per month with Owner net profit before personal expenses and loans at $12,000 to $16,000 per month. These numbers do not include truck or catering which does another $65,000 in Gross Sales.

Satellite location in Little Five Points under construction opening early 2016. Unit Two will be for take-out only.

Unit One has underwent a $300,000 renovation and is mint condition.

Unit One is is 5200/sf with seating for 80 plus full 6-seat bar and outdoor patio which seats 30. Upper level event space accommodates 60-guests with full operating kitchen and large office.

Unit One has rent of $3250 all in and includes it own parking lot with a dedicated space for food truck.

Food trucks is world famous but Owner does select fairs when he is inclined to bring truck out. Anywhere this truck goes creates havoc and long lines pulling in $4,000 a day. Truck includes a brand new transmission, rebuilt engine, brand new tires, updated electrical system, very powerful generator, hand sink, removable fryers, prep tables, service tables and roof mounted hood exhaust.

Sales includes all furniture, fixtures, equipment, food truck, additional unit, trademarks, recipes. Some personal knick items in restaurant will be identified prior to sale and not included.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

From: http://thedecaturminute.com/2015/12/07/decorate-decatur-2015/
Just like Decorate Decatur Halloween, Decorate Decatur for the Holidays has gone digital.
We invite you to let us know about great decorative displays within the city of Decatur.
Drop us an email at events@decaturga.com. Include the street address, description of the decor, and a photo of the decorated home.
Send in your info by December 14, 2015 at 5 p.m. and we’ll update an online map that includes pinpoints for each location. The best display wins the coveted Commissioners Cup at the City Commission meeting on Monday, December 21.

The Williamsburg Apartments, located near the intersection of Clairmont and North Druid Hills Roads, have been sold.

Atlanta-based TriBridge Residential sold the property last month to Atlanta based PulteGroup. I first heard rumors of the proposed sale and redevelopment in September, but the the other shoe dropped late last month.

Residents, many of whom are retirees, were informed November 30th that they must vacate the property "prior to February 1st 2016." Financial incentives are being offered to tenants on a sliding basis this month. Those who vacate their apartments by December 18th will receive a $1,000 moving allowance as well as a 50% December rent rebate. Tenants who vacate the property by December 31st will receive a $500 moving allowance and a 50% December rent rebate. Those who don't vacate by the end of the year reportedly receive nothing.
Amazingly, when I spoke to a leasing representative at the complex in late September, they were still actively leasing and renewing leases. For leasing and renewing to go on like business as usual seems rather cruel to those who might have just moved in less than 60 days ago and are now faced with another move.

The 416 unit complex, built in 1965, sits on 37 acres within close proximity to Emory University, the CDC, VA, Decatur and both I-85 and US 78. Currently, the project has access in/out from both Clairmont and North Druid Hills Roads, making the site especially convenient.

On the Clairmont Road side of the apartment complex, a former gas station and convenience store are also being targeted for redevelopment. Current plans call for an approximately 27,000 square foot three story office building to be built on the one acre parcel. At the corner of Clairmont and North Druid Hills Roads, a former Exxon gas station remains vacant and available.more

Sunday, December 6, 2015

According to the Georgia Department of Revenue, vendor issues earlier this fall will continue to impact those renewal notices going out on time.The vendor handling renewal notices, World Marketing, filed for bankruptcy in September and stopped sending them.

The state hired a new vendor to handle the notices, but the DOR said Thursday they must still finalize "future mailings" with the company.

Instead of the normal renewal notices, people with December birthdays should receive a letter explaining their other tag renewal options.

Earlier this month, Fulton County Commissioners passed a resolution temporarily waiving any late fees or interest for drivers impacted by the renewal delays in October and November. Wednesday, they voted to extend that grace period through December.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

From curbedatlanta.comMapping Atlanta's Ice Rinks, as If Atlantans Can Ice Skate!by Michael KahnHey Atlanta: It's December! And with Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Festivus holidays looming, it's time to get out and enjoy one of winter's grandest outdoor activities. Sure, the only winter pastime we do really well is cause day-long traffic freakouts, but there are a few ice skating rinks scattered around that allow us Southerners to feel like Northerners for a few hours. And if you're worried about looking like a fool, think of it this way... ice is pretty much the great equalizer. Unless you're Michelle Kwan, you're probably going to bust your derrière a few times, no matter how sober you are. So check out the map, get out there and have some fun.
see map and list at http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2015/12/01/map-atlanta-ice-skating-rinks.php

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the first-ever Disney character and a long-eared precursor to Mickey Mouse, features in this long-lost animated film.

The BFI National Archive and Walt Disney Animation Studios are pleased to announce the rediscovery of a rare, long-lost, Walt Disney animated film, Sleigh Bells (1928) featuring the first ever Disney character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a long-eared precursor to Mickey Mouse.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was invented by Walt Disney in 1927 and was loved for his mischievous and rebellious personality.

A number of other films do survive but Sleigh Bells has been, until now, a lost film, unseen since its original release. The animation in the film was accomplished by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, both of whom went on to create the character of Mickey Mouse, following a contractual disagreement with Universal, for whom they had created the Oswald films
The print of Sleigh Bells (1928) was preserved in the collections of the BFI National Archive.
The exciting rediscovery was made by a researcher browsing the online catalogue of the BFI National Archive’s holdings. Walt Disney Animation Studios have taken this unique surviving film print and created both a new preservation print and digital copies. The film has a running time of approximately six minutes.
Robin Baker, Head Curator, BFI National Archive said:
“What a joyful treat to discover a long-lost Walt Disney film in the BFI National Archive and to be able to show Sleigh Bells to a whole new audience 87 years after it was made.

The restoration of this film will introduce many audiences to Disney’s work in the silent period – it clearly demonstrates the vitality and imagination of his animation at a key point in his early career. We thank Walt Disney for working with us and are thrilled to present the world premiere of this restored version here in London at BFI Southbank.”
Andrew Millstein, President of Walt Disney

Animation Studios, which oversaw the restoration, added:
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the BFI National Archives in the restoration of the ‘lost’ Oswald short, Sleigh Bells, and to be sharing this delightful animated discovery with audiences in the UK as part of this special Disney holiday programme.
The Oswald shorts are an important part of our Studios’ history, and we have been working with film archives and private collectors all around the world to research the missing titles. We are grateful to Katrina Stokes, Robin Baker, and their associates at the BFI for helping us locate and preserve Sleigh Bells.”

Welcome toNext Stop... DecaturHere you will find all kinds of photos, some new and some vintage, and sometimes even Decatur/Atlanta/World news. Also showbiz news, so sit back and have some fun.....Look out, sign-post up ahead.....NEXTSTOP...DECATUR, GA.

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The Saturday location will be across the street from the Chik-Fil-A on N. McDonough in downtown Decatur.--Open Year-RoundSaturday Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Located near 498 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA

Wednesday Hours: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Located at 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA

Field Trips with Sue is an award winning blog about things to do with kids in and around metro Atlanta and sometimes beyond. The blog is a Nickelodeon Parent’s Pick winner and a featured blog on Raveable.com, (named by Travel + Leisure magazine as a top travel site). The blog is featured on ATL Insider (the website of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau) and has featured posts on national travel site, Travel Savvy Mom. Bi-monthly, see Field Trips with Sue segments on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta and occasionally the local Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA.

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Remembering the Past will Help build the Future

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Wanted:Pictures of The Decatur Theatre, Scott Drive-InTheatre , The Suburban Plaza Theatre and The Dekalb Theatre,North Dekalb Theatre,Toco Hill Theatre, The Emory, and /or any old photos of Downtown Decatur,GA.Please contact me if you have any photos that you think might be of interest. I would love to have a Decatur Theatre ticket stub.ThanksPlease visit myDecatur Theatresite.Also visit my Scott Drive-In site.Also visit my North 85 Twin Drive-Insite.

REGATOR APPROVED

The Court House looks so much better without that bandstand built in the middle of the front steps. Why would they block the front view. Why don't they move it to the left about 100 feet over in the grass area.

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Comment:Will be visiting Decatur from Philadelphia for Christmas...and I am counting down the hours. My wife, daughter and I are making it an 800-mile holiday road trip to Atlanta...love it! Many thanks for your site...it keeps me close to beautiful Decatur all year round.- Carlos from Phoenixville, PA

Hey Decatur, GA! visting from Downey, CA to run the marathon- thanks for the course support- loved the signs and spirit and hope to visit ur town during this stay or the next. Thanks again guys&gals- u were awesome! : Marina from Downey, Calif.